Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The New Braunfels Board of Adjustment held a regular meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at City Hall – Council Chambers. Chair Brandon Mund called the meeting to order at 6:06 pm and adjourned at 7:26 pm. Five members were present (Andrea Ranft, Bobby Avary Jr., Brandon Mund, Jenny Jaeckle, and Adam Schneider) with four absent (Seth Reichenau, Steve Quidley, Maurice Lewis II, and Timothy Bray). The board considered three individual items: an alternative sign plan for NBISD, and two variance requests for properties on Magazine Avenue and Kessler Street.
Item 5A – NBISD Alternative Sign Plan: Staff (Colton Barker) introduced a request by New Braunfels Independent School District to permit one freestanding electronic‑message pole sign at 4150 Klein Meadows (Long Creek High School). The proposed sign deviates from the C‑1B sign standards in area (63.66 sq ft vs. 20 sq ft allowed), height (15.58 ft vs. 10 ft allowed), and location (Klein Meadows is a collector street where electronic signs are not permitted). The request is processed as an Alternative Sign Plan, not a variance. Discussion focused on the need for a larger sign, potential light pollution, vandalism concerns, and the lack of mailed notifications to nearby residents. The applicant (Joe Alexandre, NBISD, and David Cino, Spectrum Sign) explained after‑hours programming capabilities and brightness controls. Board members expressed concerns about nighttime operation and the lack of neighborhood input. A motion to table the item to the next regular meeting was made, seconded, and carried unanimously (5‑0‑0), with conditions that the city notify neighboring property owners of the request and that the school district provide additional feedback on sign display times.
Item 5B – Variances for 250 Magazine Avenue: The property, zoned SND‑1, is developed with a single‑family home (built 1950) and a detached garage to be demolished. The applicant requested two variances: (1) to allow an accessory structure to encroach 8 ft 8 in into the required 25‑ft corner side setback along Lee Street; (2) to allow a 1,000‑sq‑ft, one‑story accessory structure (500 sq ft garage + 500 sq ft guest house) where the code envisions a garage with a separate dwelling above. Staff (Mary Lovell) noted the lot’s narrow configuration at Lee Street (only 18 ft 9 in between setback lines) and that four responses supported the request and one opposed (no written comments). Owner Steve Canter explained the desire to keep a one‑story design to match the existing house and to save a pecan tree. Board discussion acknowledged the impracticality of building within the setback and that a two‑story structure would also require a variance. Motion to approve both variances made by Member Avary, seconded by Member Ranft; carried unanimously (5‑0‑0).
Item 5C – Variances for 330 Kessler Street: The property, zoned C‑3, is a former residence being converted to an ultrasound clinic (owner Nicole Limburg). Two variances were needed: (1) to use stabilized crushed granite for parking and maneuvering areas instead of concrete (except for an ADA‑compliant paved space); (2) to keep an existing driveway width of 13 ft where 24 ft is required. Staff noted that 19 property owners were notified; three responses in favor were received. The applicant and engineer (Adrian Ayala, Dillo Dev) explained that the narrow driveway avoids demolishing the existing structure, and crushed granite improves permeability and reduces runoff. Board discussion addressed edging to prevent material migration, drainage concerns, and maintaining the building’s footprint. Motion by Vice‑Chair Jaeckle, seconded by Member Avary, to approve both variances with the following conditions: (1) sufficient edge‑to‑edge bordering consistent with what the City engineer approves for the proposed material; (2) drainage requirements to be met; (3) the existing building footprint must not be expanded or altered. Motion carried unanimously (5‑0‑0).
Sorry, I always have fun doing that. I need one at home. It's even more fun. All right. Well, welcome to the uh regular City of New Bronfels Board of Adjustment meeting. We're a five member board appointed by the city council. And pursuant to state law, the board hears requests from property owners for variances and special exemptions from locally adopted ordinances. This board may hear appeals of decisions made by city staff in administering these ordinances. Excuse me. The general procedure for each case is the board will hear first from the city staff who will provide a summary of each applicant's request. Then the applicant or agent will be asked to come forward and advocate for their request. Next, the board will request public comment for anyone who wants to speak in favor or in opposition of the request. Those speaking in opposition or in favor will be limited to five minutes. However, the chair does reserve the right to adjust these times. The board will keep all discussions to the issue at hand and cannot deviate into unrelated topics or areas that do not contribute to the merits of this request. After the close of the public hearing, the pending case will need to have a motion and a second to the motion from the board members in order to proceed to a vote. In order for a request to be approved, state law requires that four out of five of the members of the board vote to approve the variance requests. The request fails if no motion or second is made for approval. If denied, the same or similar request cannot reappear before the board for at least six months unless new substantial evidence not available at the initial hearing is produced by the applicant. Any aggrieved party may appeal a decision made by this board. And appeals are made to the district court or county court at law. And if you have any questions, you can ask city staff members after the meeting. We are currently a four member board. We are waiting on one member that will be here. As there are only four members present this evening, the board offers the following options to all applicants, knowing that you would need a unanimous decision in order to approve your request this evening. You may voluntarily postpone your request to the next meeting at no charge to you. If anyone would like to exercise this option option, it can be done formally now at the podium. But as I say, we are missing one person and they are on their way. So we'll start with four and be able to go from there. Would anyone like to exercise that option right now? Okay. Thank you. If we can have a roll call, please. Member Avery. Here. Member Van here. Member Vice Chair Jake Lee. Here. Chair Mund. Here. Thank you. First item of business is the approval of minutes from our last time we met in uh December, December 18th, 2025. I make a motion to approve minutes as written. Second. We do have a motion and a second. All in favor. And no opposed.